Lifestyle and Behavior in Young Adulthood: The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health

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  • June 30, 2020
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  • Sorgi, Ashley
    • Affiliation: Carolina Population Center
  • Dean, Sarah Catherine
  • Meekins, Kelsey
  • Chen, Ping
  • Halpern, Carolyn Tucker
  • Harris, Kathleen Mullan
    • Affiliation: Carolina Population Center
Abstract
  • Young adulthood is associated with increased responsibilities, including financial independence, career development, and starting a family. Young Americans between the ages of 25-34 spend more time at work and caring for others, and have less free time than younger age groups.1 With more time dedicated to these responsibilities, young adults may not have as much time to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Over time, less healthy lifestyle behaviors set health trajectories into adulthood, increasing the risks of morbidities and chronic disease in the future. Lifestyle and health related behavioral choices are important factors for understanding health. Physical inactivity and poor diet are major risk factors for obesity and other chronic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers.2-6 Inadequate sleep is also related to poor health status, including obesity, hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes.2 This brief provides a snapshot of the lifestyle habits of young adults in the U.S. in 2008. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we examine the following lifestyle behaviors known to be related to health: sleep and sleep problems, physical activity, sedentary behaviors, fast food and sweet beverage intake, and smoking habits. We address the following questions: • How do young adults’ lifestyle behaviors compare to guidelines and recommendations for sleep, diet, physical activity and smoking? • How do young adults’ lifestyle behaviors compare to reported national averages? • How do patterns in these characteristics change by gender, age, race/ethnicity and obesity status?
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